Coin-controlled vend ing-machine



A C. E. SNAPP.

Patented June 28,1898.

No.2- 6o6,249.'

(No Mdel.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2..'

0.E.SNAPP. GOIN GONTROLLED VENDING IVIAGHINE.v l No. 606,249.

Patented June 28,

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ATTORNEYS.

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(No Model) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

0. E. SNAPP. GOIN CONTROLLED VEDING MACHINE. No. 606,249. Patented Jn@28, 1898.

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`COIN GONTROLLBD VBNDING MACHINE. No. 606,249. Patented June 28, 1898.

W/ T/VE SSE S ATTORNEYS.

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Nrrn raras CHARLES E. 'SNAPP, 0F GROTTOES, VIRGINIA.

COIN-CONTROLLED VErNDlNG-NIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,249, dated J une28, 1898. Application filed September 7, 1897. Serial No. 650,802. (Nomodel.)

.To all whom t muy concern,.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F.. SNAPP, of Grottoes, in the county ofRockingham and State of Virginia,.have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Vending-Machines, of which the followingis aspecification.

My invention is an improvement in' the class of coin-controlled machinesadapted `for delivering cigars individually or in pairs, also packagesof cigarettes and other articles, automatically when certain `tripmechanism isV operated by a coin of the proper denomination.

My improved machine is so constructed as to be particularly eiiicient inpreventing its surreptitious operation7 as by use of any coin other thanthe proper one or of any substitute therefor, such as lead or other softand hard metal disks. The machine is at the same time comparativelysimple in construction and operates with ease and certainty in thedelivery of cigars, cigarette-boxes, or other articles for which it isadapted.

T ie details of construction are hereinafter described with reference toaccompanying drawings, four sheets, in Which- Y Figure 1 is aperspective view of my machine. Fig. 2 isa perspective View of theVpush-bar or coin-carrier. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a vertical section ofthemachine. Fig. 4 .is a horizontal section on line 4 4 oi' Fig. 3. Fig.5, Sheet 3, is a horizontal section on line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. G is aperspective view showing a portion of the case with coin-chute and aportion of the lever mechanism. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of themagnet and attachments thereof. Fig. S is a perspective view of theinterior mechanisml Figs; 9 and 10, Sheet 4, are vertical sections ofthe interior mechanism, illustrating different stages in the operationof the same. Fig. 11 is a side view of a modiiication of the tiltingtable. Fig. 12 is a front view of the coin-chute and coin operatedlevers connected therewith. Fig. 13 is a perspective View of thelever-ejector for lead disks, &c.

The case inclosing the operative parts has the form usual in this classof machines, being composed of an enlarged rectangular base A, anextended top or vertical portion A', and the inclined front a, in whichthe mouths of place.

the coin-chutes 1 are located.

In practice I propose to employ one or more complete coin-controlledmechanisms in the same case. In Fig. 1 I illustrate the case adapted forthree such mechanisms, one being for delivery of a single cigar, anotherfor delivery of two cigars, and the third fora package ofcigarettesorother articles. describe the invention as adapted4 for delivery ofcigars singly, and then indicate the slight change of certain partsrequired to al- -low delivery of two or more cigars simultaneously, alsoof cigarette and other packages.

When the nickel enters a coin-chute 1, it operates mechanism that allowsrelease of one or more cigars, as will be presently described.

The chute 1 is shown arranged at an angle of forty-live degrees anddelivers the coin-say a nickel-into a transverse slot 2, formed in theboss of a fiat bar 3, that slides on the horizontal skeleton plate ordiaphragm 4, arranged in the upper portion of the base A of the case andis operatedi. e. ,reciprocateduby a pushh rod 5, 'that projects from thefront of the base. Said bar 3 has lateral arms 6,1 Fig. 2, havingparallel rods '7, to which spiral retracting sprin gs 8 areapplied,asshown. The aforesaid slot is large enough to allow the nickelto pass through the transverse slot 9 in the plate 4 and' into thecoin-receptacle 10 below, when the bar 3 is slid to carry it back to theproper When the slidable bar 3 is pushed back, as shown in Fig. 10, thecoin is supported by and rides on the depressed troughlike portion 11,Figs. 9 and 10, of the plate 4, and is thus prevented from fallingprematurely out of the slot 2 in the bar. Just before the coin reachesthe discharge-slot 9 in the plate 4 its upper edge strikes against and-slides under the upcurved end of a lever-arm 12,that projects from latiltable table 13, which is pivoted at its ends in suitable angular armsor lugs 14, as shown. The said table 13 is arranged parallel to the rearedge'of the plate 4 and directly beneath the vertical passage 15, inwhich the cigars to be delivered are contained, the same lying one uponanother horizontally. When the coin thus rides under the curved trip-arm12, the latter is raised,

and then the rear end of bar 3 com esmin contactwith the semicircularpendent portion 12@ of the trip-arm, and thus continues to tilt the ssvI will first IOO . 011 the table 13.

table 13, as shown by full lines, Fig. 9, so as to effect thedischarge-of the cigar that had been deposited thereon a moment before.Simultaneously with such discharge the coin drops from the slot 2 in bar3 through the coincident slot 9 in plate 4 and passes into receptacle10, as already stated. When the cigar leaves the tilting table 13, itpasses into and rolls down the curved delivery-chute 16, and thusbecomes visible and accessible to the customer at the front end of saidchute. In such discharge the cigar passes back through a transverseopening 17 in the rear wall of the reservoir-passage 15, which openingis closed` by a door or flat valve 18, Fig. 9, which extendstransversely in a vertical plane and is hinged to the rear wall of thereservoir-passage just above said opening 17 and opposite the tiltingtable 13. A spring 19 holds the valve normally closed, and it is openedby engagement of a rigid cam 20, lixed vertically Thus when the lattertilts said cam 2O presses against the valve 18 and forces it open, sothat the cigar previously deposited on the table may roll off into thechute 1G. It will be understood that the function of valve 18 is toprevent the cigar passing off the table 13 prematurely.

The mechanism operated bythe coin upon entering the chute 1 and whichallows de-4 livery of a cigar upon the table 13 is constructed andoperates as follows:

Two like levers 21, Figs. 9 and 12, are pivoted centrally in a verticalplane and opposite each other below the coin-chute 1, and their upperbeveled and hook-like ends 22 are bent at an obtuse angle, Fig. 9, andproject into opposite slots formed in the sides of the chute l at apoint adjacent to its mouth. The lower ends of said levers 21 areprovided with holes to receive the front ends of horizontal levers 23,that are pivoted to a plate 24, arranged above and parallel to the mainplate 4, before referred to. The inner or rear ends of such levers 23project beneath the reservoir-passage 15, Fig. 9, being thus located atthe lateral extremities of the latter. A coil-spring 25, Fig. 6, servesto connect the said levers 23 at a point between their pivots and thereservoir-passage 15, so that their rear ends are normally heldapproximately or in due `position to support a cigar, as shown in Itwill now be apparent that when a nickel is introduced into the chute 1it must l Fig.. 9.

pass between the beveled ends 22 of the levers 21 and'in so doing forcethem apart and thereby draw the outer or front ends of the horizont-allevers 23 toward each other, which of the levers 2l, and said levers 23thus resume their function of supporting the series of cigars in thereservoir l5; but as a supplemental means for this purpose I provide thetable 13 with curved guard-ngers 26, Figs. 8 and 9, which when thetabletilts rearward to discharge interpose beneath the next cigar of theseries. These fingers are curved rearward from the front edge of thetable and stand in a vertical plane. They are formed of material whichis liexible, yet sufiiciently rigid to enable them to retain under theordinary conditions of use any curve to which they may bel bent. Theyare thus adapted to be so bent and adjusted that their free ends will behigher or lower, as required to allow discharge of two cigars or one, asthe case may be.

The means for preventing operation of the machine by a disk of steel oriron of the same diameter as a nickel is the permanent magnet 27, Figs.7, 9, and 10, which is pivoted on vertical lugs 28 of the main plate 4,which lugs also serve as stops to support the front end of the magnetwhen thrown down by the springs 28, Figs. 7, 8, and 9, so that themagnet is held normally in horizontal position. The slidable bar 3 has acam-lug 29, Figs. 9 and 10, which is so arranged as to strike the lug30, pendent from the front end of the magnet, and tilt the latter sothat its rear end is carried down into contact with or at least intoclose proximity to the coin or spurious disk being carried backward inthe slot 2 of the bar 3. A disk capable of magnetic attraction will belifted out of the slot 2 and snapped off the magnet as the latterresumes its former position. This action is due to the retractive actionof springs 28, which are coiled about the pivot or axle of the magnet,and the form of the lugs 29 and 30 one side of which is vertical. Themagnet-lu g 30 is pivotedto allow it to pass back over lug 29 when thepush-bar is retracted. The bar 3 has two other xed lugs or wipers 29,Figs. 2, 9, and 10, which serve to push oif from the magnet any adheringiron or steel disk that may fail to be snapped o when the magnet isthrown back, as above described.

The means for preventing a spurious softmetal disk from operating themachine are as follows: l

A forked vor bifurcated cam-lever 31, Fig. 13, is pivoted to and beneaththe main plate 4 and supported normally in horizontal position by 'oneor more springs 32. The rear end of the lever 3l is a projection 33,having a beveled upper edge, as shown in Figs. 3 and 13, and adapted towork in the coincident lengthwise slots 2 and 9 `of bar 3 and plate 4.The arms of said lever have cam projections 34 on the upper side, andthe slidable bar 3 has two pivoted wipers 35, which are pendent in slots36 of the plate 4 and suitably arranged to act on the cams of thebifurcated lever 31, so as to depress the latter. Suchdepression occursonly when the bar 3 slides inward,since roc the wipers 35 are then heldvertical by engagement of theirfront shoulders 37 with lateral pins 38,iiXed in the lugs 39, and when the bar 3 is retracted by its springs 8the wipers 35 tilt and merely drag back over the cams 34. A

When a lead disk is delivered from the chute 1 into the slotted boss ol'bar 3 and the latter is pushed back, the disk `strikes the point of thetrip-arm 12 of table 13 and is bent over frontward, as shown in Fi g.10, and then the wipers35,which had previously depressed the forkedlever'31, having at this time passed beyond the cams 34 the beveled head33 of the lever 3l is forced up through the slot 40 and, striking thedisk, ejects it from the slot 2.

The trip-arm 12 has a lug 4l, which subserves two purposes, namely: Itprojects laterally, Fig. S, so as to bear on plate4, and thus supportthe table in normal position, and it also serves as a stop fortheslidable bar 2 when carrying a soft-metal disk that fails to raise thetriparm 12, as before described. Surreptitious operation of the machineis thus prevented by simple but reliable means.

As shown in Fig. 3, the case A has a removable door 42, secured by ahasp-lock 43, and the adjacent rear side of the delivery-chute 16 has ahinged portion 44, that is supported by the case-door 42, and thusadapted to open when the latter is removed. Thus access may be had tothe lower side of the coin-receptacle lO,whicl1 has a hinged section 45,provided with parallel side flanges 46. The upper end of such section 45is secured by a button, hook, lock, or any other preferred form offastenw ing 47. The dotted lines, Fig. 3, indicate the open position ofparts 44 and 45, as when it is desired to remove the cash fromreceptacle.

Having thus described the machine as adapted for vending cigars singly,it only remains to further state the following changes andmodifications:

A cigar-box may be placed in the rear compartment 48 of the case A', asshown in Fig. 3, and its front side being removed the cigars willdeliver themselves into the passage 15 as required. Said box may besupported by clips, brackets, or clamps.

To adapt the machine to vend two cigars simultaneously, the curved ngers26, attached to the tilting table 13, are bent up or extended, so as todescribe a larger arc, and thus cover the space equal to the aggregatediameter of two cigars. In other words, the said fingers 26 are socurved as to enter between the sec# ond and third cigars of the serieswhen the center, so that as the table tilts said lug will pass backunderthe second box and support all above the first While the latter is being discharged.

1. In a vending-machine, the combination with the `pivoted til-tabletable, having the lever-arm projecting horizontally but curved upward,of a horizontal slide having a coinholding slot or socket, and arrangedin line with, but at a lower point than, said arm, and movable towardand from the latter, as shown and described.

2. In a vending-machine, the combination with a coin-chute and reservoiror compartment for `holding cigars or other articles, of a tiltabletable located below said compartment, a movablecoin-carrierandlevermeehanism adapted to be acted on bythe coin inpassing through said chute, for releasing dne or more cigars orotherarticle, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a vending-machine, the combination with a tiltable table fortemporarily` holding cigars or other articles, said table having acurved lever-arm, of a movable coin-carrier adapted to bring the coininto contact with said arm, for tripping the table, as shown anddescribed.

` 4. In a vending-machine, the combinationwith the reservoir-passage andthe coin-chute having side slots, of the pivoted levers having beveledends that project into and normally lie in the chute-slots, the pivotedhori zontal levers projecting into the reservoirpassage and having aloose connection with yportion is curved to adapt it for sliding contactwith the end of the coin-carrier, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a vending-machine, the combination with the reservoir-passage, amovable table or support for the articles to be sold,` of a hinged valvefor closing the opening at rear of such support, and means connectedwith the support for acting on the valve to open the same, substantiallyas shown and described.

7. In a vending-machine, the combination with the reservoirpassage andthe tiltable table arranged beneath it, and havingarigid arm or cam, ofthe hinged valve or plate hanging alongside the table, in such proximityas to adapt it to be acted on by said cam, and a spring for holding thevalve normally closed as shown and described.

8. In a vending-machine, the combination with the reservoirpassage, ofthe tiltable table arranged beneath the same, and having curved fingerswhich are arranged in vertical planes and made of iiexible material thatren IOO IIO

ders them capable of retaining the form into which they may be bent, asshown and described.

9. In a vending-machine, the combination of a tiltable magnet and amovable coin-carrier adapted to tilt the magnet when moved forwardsubstantially as shown and described.

lO. In a vending-machine,the combination with the magnet pivotedhorizontally and weighted at its front end, of the movable coincarrierhaving a projection adapted to strike the magnet and tilt the same whenmoved inward as specified.

l1. In a vending-machine, the combination with a coincarrier, ofthemagnet weighted at one end, lugs to which it is pivoted, said lugshaving shoulders which support the magnetin normal position, as shownand described.

12. Ina vending-machine, the combination with the slotted, slidable coin-carrier of a spring-actuated coin-ejector pivoted beneath the carrier,and having a portion which is adapted to project upward into the slot inthe carrier, and means for depressing saidejector while the coin isbeing moved forward as shown and described.

13. In a vending-machine, the combination- CHARLES E. sNAPP.

`Vitnesses:

T. L. MAUPIN," L. R.- SNAPP.

